Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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1480. To ask the Minister for Health if a HAA card has been provided to all survivors of Magdalene laundries as recommended by the report on Magdalene laundries; if survivors of the New Ross Magdalene laundry are included in this provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16860/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Magdalene Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme was established in 2013 by the then Department of Justice and Equality on foot of the recommendations contained in the Magdalen Commission Report by Judge Quirke. In his report, Judge Quirke outlined that Magdalen women should be provided with access to a comprehensive suite of health services. He specified GP services, prescribed drugs, medicines, aids and appliances, dental, ophthalmic, aural, home support, home nursing, counselling, chiropody and physiotherapy services and conveyed the view that the health provisions should operate in a manner similar to the scheme made available to certain persons under the Health (Amendment) Act 1996.

The Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 (RWRCI Act) makes provision for a range of primary and community health services (and benefits) in Ireland for women who qualify under the Department of Justice & Equality Restorative Justice Scheme for women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalene Laundries and similar institutions. Women who qualify for an award under the Magdalen Restorative Justice Ex-gratia Scheme are awarded a medical card which is called ‘Medical Cards Redress for Women resident in certain institutions.’ Women who were resident in St. Mary’s, New Ross, a Magdalen Institution run by the Good Shepherd Sisters and who made an application to the Scheme are also included.

Separately, eligibility for HAA services is based on the Health Amendment Act 1996. The purpose of the 1996 Act was to meet the health care needs of persons who contracted hepatitis C from a blood product or blood transfusion. It is generally accepted that these hepatitis C patients are a particularly vulnerable group who have specific health needs as a result of their infection. It is apparent that the Quirke Report recognises that the Magdalen women and the groups of people who contracted hepatitis C are not identical and face different circumstances. In that light, it is not unreasonable to provide eligibility for services tailored to women who were admitted to and worked in a relevant institution and who are now facing medical circumstances that are typical of that age cohort.